Astrophotography Cameras

With so many types of astrophotography cameras available, choosing a specific model to spend your hard earned money on can be a tough decision.

Beginners (myself included) usually start with a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera as they are cost-effective and versatile, and I still think it’s the best way to go.

If you are brand new to astrophotography, you can’t go wrong investing in an entry level DSLR camera and kit lens.

This will open the door to many types of astrophotography including nighttime landscapes, Milky Way portraits, and even deep-sky astrophotography through a telescope.

Examples of astrophotography using a DSLR camera.

As the hobby evolves, more and more dedicated astrophotography cameras continue to populate the market. Despite the amazing advances in cooled CMOS sensor technology, I will always continue to shoot with a DSLR camera body in some form or another.

They are just too much fun.

My first astrophotography camera was a Canon Rebel 450D.

Canon, Nikon, and Sony are the leaders of the DSLR camera market. The brand you choose can have a huge impact on your future equipment options.

For instance, Canon users are much more likely to stay loyal to the brand after purchasing multiple camera lenses made for a Canon DSLR body.

Whichever brand of DSLR you choose in the beginning, you are more likely to stick with until the end, so choose wisely.

My advice here would be to start with an entry-level body such as the Canon Rebel T7i or Nikon D3400. Both of these cameras support a staggering amount of camera lenses and software applications.

Use a small star tracker to capture longer exposures without star trailing.

If it’s your first “real camera”, it’s worth thinking about purchasing your model of choice in a bundle that includes a zoom kit lens. One of the best ways to get started in astrophotography is to use the DSLR with a camera lens, not a telescope.

This is known as prime-focus astrophotography and can lead to an extraordinary world of deep sky imaging. This is where my true passion for this hobby began to take shape.

I recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T7i for beginners.

Modifying a DSLR for astrophotography

When you hear the term “modified DSLR” in the astrophotography realm, it means that the stock IR cut filter has been removed to allow the red color from certain nebulae to be recorded.

To be more specific, it’s the hydrogen-alpha transmission line (656nm) that’s so important for astro-imaging. Cameras like the Canon EOS 60Da were designed to be more sensitive to this wavelength, but an ordinary DSLR camera is not.

Having a camera that is sensitive to this wavelength of light (Hα) can make a big difference when it comes to certain emission nebulae such as the California Nebula.

For those looking to take advantage of this modification, you can send your camera away for a professional modification service or perform the modification yourself.

With my first astrophotography camera (Canon EOS Rebel Xsi), I carefully removed the stock IR cut filter in the camera with the aid of this tutorial video. I am happy to report that after 4 intense hours of work, I was successful.

Examples of images taken using a modified DSLR camera.

For more information on choosing a DSLR camera for astrophotography, have a look at this comprehensive breakdown courtesy of the Backyard Astronomer’s Guide (Highly recommended!)

Camera Lenses for Astrophotography

I have used a number of lenses for astrophotography purposes over the years, and a few models stand out above the others.

Below, you’ll see 3 Canon L-Series lenses of varying focal lengths that I like to use on assorted projects. If you aren’t ready to invest in a high-end lens like this, you could always consider a camera-lens rental service.

Astrophotography with a camera lens is a lot of fun, and can often be a simpler and more enjoyable experience than with a telescope. Even a kit lens such as the 18-55mm that’s included with many beginner level DSLR’s has some excellent astrophotography potential.

As the focal length of the lens increases, so will the demand of tracking accuracy and a precise polar alignment.

Check your local classified market for deals on used lenses. Most of my camera lenses were purchased used from either a classified site like Kijiji or from the Henry’s used section.

Smaller camera lenses are much lighter than most telescopes, which means you won’t require a large equatorial mount to track the sky. Heavier telephoto lenses such as the Canon 300mm F/4Lwill require a more robust mount such as the iOptron SkyGuider Pro.

Dedicated Astronomy Cameras

These days there are many dedicated astronomy cameras on the market that are designed specifically for astrophotography, and nothing else.

Though they excel at long exposure deep sky imaging, they need dedicated computer software to operate and may require a number of filters as well.

For example, a camera with a mono sensor like the ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro records images in grey-scale, meaning that a minimum of 3 filters (R, G, B) are necessary to create a full-color image.

With that being said, mono CMOS sensors are much more sensitive than there color counterparts, you just have to work a little harder.

The ZWO ASI 1600MM-Cool uses a Mono CMOS Sensor with TEC.

ZWO cameras have the option of being controlled using a unique dedicated camera capture device called the ZWO ASIair. This Raspberry Pi based computer allows you to control ASI cameras from your smartphone or tablet. Here, you can control everything from autoguiding to plate solving without touching your telescope.

CMOS Sensor Cameras with TEC

The cameras I am referring to are models with CMOS sensors that include TEC (Thermoelectric cooling), precision gain controls and produce images in . FIT format.

These are a new breed of astrophotography cameras, and they are taking over the market. But whatever you do, don’t call them a CCD camera. I made this mistake early on, and the astrophotography community was quick to correct me. A more accurate description of these devices are a “dedicated astronomy camera”, as they do not use an actual CCD sensor.

I have found that using this particular camera with a duo-narrowband filter can produce some incredible results from a light-polluted area. The following image uses the STC Astro Duo-Narrowband filter with the ASI294MC-Pro on the Pacman Nebula.

The Pacman Nebula using the ZWO ASI294MC-Pro camera.

The image was captured from a Bortle Class 8 region (my backyard) during a nearly full moon.

The camera was set to -20°C to keep thermal noise at bay, and resulted in 5-minute image subs with an impressive signal-to-noise ratio. If you told me this photo was captured from my city backyard 2 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you!

When using this camera under a dark sky (Bortle Class 3), my results using the 294MC-Pro unfiltered (Just a UV-IR filter) were impressive.

The following image of the Trifid Nebula was captured at the Cherry Springs Star Party through an Explore Scientific ED140 CF refractor.

The Trifid Nebula using a One-Shot-Color Cooled CMOS Camera.

Astrophotography Cameras under $1,500

A more affordable option is a dedicated astronomy camera that lacks TEC, but with all of the other benefits of this type of camera.

In the Summer of 2017, I tested a color CMOS camera known as the Altair Hypercam 183C. You can see my results using this camera for deep sky imaging here.

The 3 cameras on my list are one-shot-color CMOS cameras that have the benefit of capturing full-color images in a single imaging session. All of the cameras on this list are under $1,500, and I have used them personally in the backyard.

I tested my first monochrome sensor CMOS camera in late 2017. It was my first venture into monochrome territory, and was an eye-opening experience.

Mono sensors can capture more detail in a single exposure but need 3X as much exposure time to produce a color image.

One aspect I am particularly enthusiastic about is capturing narrowband images in Ha, OIII, and SII using a mono camera.

This can provide excellent data to be used in a false-color deep sky image. Amateur astrophotographers “color map” the monochrome (grey scale) images to RGB color channels to create a false-color image. You can use Adobe Photoshop to create Hubble Palette images using narrowband data.

Images captured using a monochrome camera and narrowband filter are a fantastic way to add a little “punch” to your existing color images. The image below uses narrowband Ha details to add interesting details to my old true-color image of the Triangulum Galaxy.

The Triangulum Galaxy – A mix of data collected using a DSLR and dedicated astronomy camera.

Benefits of using a DSLR Camera

A DSLR camera can be used for many types of astrophotography. With a standard kit lens (such as an 18-55mm), Milky Way panoramic and constellation photos are well within reach.

Modern DLSR’s are user-friendly and can help you fast track the basics of night photography.

Some of the benefits of using a DSLR camera over a dedicated astronomy camera are being able to review your photos on the camera and making small adjustments to the camera settings on the fly.

Non-DSLR cameras require external software to run, and can often take more time to control. The ease of use and versatility you get with a DSLR is hard to beat.

The Milky Way using a Canon Xsi DSLR with a wide-angle Camera Lens.

Once you have had success using a camera lens for astrophotography, you can swap it out with a telescope for some deep sky imaging.

The telescope you choose for astrophotography will likely have a much longer focal length and will make focusing on stars much easier.

A telephoto camera lens will also do a fine job at capturing deep sky objects, but a telescope offers many advantages. For example, most high-end refractors include a locking dual-speed precision focuser.

They are also generally easier to attach to an equatorial mount, and can easily accommodate guidescopes and other astrophotography accessories.

To attach your DSLR to a telescope, you will need a t-ring and adapter to connect the scope to the camera body.

Types of Astrophotography Available:

Milky Way Panoramas

Star Trails

Constellations

Night Landscapes

Deep Sky Imaging

Using a CCD Camera

A CCD camera is designed for astronomical imaging, usually through a telescope.

These cameras work differently than a DSLR, as they are designed to maximize collecting light for long periods of time. A CCD camera has a cooler that can keep the sensor from overheating, resulting in images with very little noise.

An SBIG STX-16803 CCD Camera.

They are also much more sensitive, with a higher level of control. The Gain setting on a CCD camera can be compared to ISO on a DSLR, with a much more precise level of adjustment.

Types of Astrophotography Available:

Deep Sky Imaging

Narrowband Deep Sky

Popular CCD camera brands include SBIG, Starlight Xpress, and Atik. These devices are designed to produce scientific grade deep sky astrophotography images.

The first cooled monochrome CCD camera I ever used was the Starlight Xpress Trius SX-42 (694). This is a professional-grade 6MP cooled CCD camera.

My Starlight Xpress Trius SX-694 mono CCD camera.

A good starting point

My first astrophotography camera was a Canon Rebel Xsi (450D). I learned how to photograph deep-sky objects with this camera and even modified the camera myself by removing the stock IR cut filter.

The Canon Rebel XSi makes an excellent choice for beginner DSLR astrophotographers because it offers a unique balance of simplicity and performance.

Also known as the Canon 450D, this camera was the successor to the Canon EOS Xti, and was introduced way back in 2008. It’s 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor is small by today’s standards.

For comparison, the latest model in Canon’s line-up in this category (the Canon T6i) is 24.2 MP! The limited ISO capabilities of the XSi are also worth noting, topping out at a measly ISO 1600.

The biggest downfall of a DSLR this old is the amount of thermal noise produced. These days, Canon cameras are designed to be much better at handling noise using a high ISO setting.

The Canon Rebel Xsi is still a popular choice for amateur astrophotographers

The Canon 450D – A true value

Despite its age and humble statistics, the Canon 450D can produce stunning results that can compete with images of much more expensive cameras. For the most part, the noise can be taken care of by shooting dark frames, and noise reduction in post-processing.

I have seen used DSLR bodies for the Canon Rebel Xsi sell for as low as $150 on astronomy classified sites like Astro Buy Sell.

Just because a DSLR is newer with more features, doesn’t necessarily mean it does a better job of reducing noise in long exposure astro-imaging. Gary Honis did some testing of a number of Canon Rebel DSLR’s to test the noise characteristics of each model:

Which DSLR is best for astrophotography?

Brands such as Canon and Nikon have dominated the market for DSLR astronomy photographers in the past, but now camera manufacturers like Sony have also entered the picture with its mirrorless design.

The prices and features of these cameras vary as much as the deep-sky nebulas and galaxies you will image with them.

I have my preferences towards the Canon line of DSLR cameras, but I have done my best to cover the basics of all astrophotography cameras below.

DSLR Cameras for Astrophotography – Canon 6D, Nikon D810A, Sony A7

What type of DSLR camera is best for astrophotography? (Full frame or Crop Sensor)

The answer to this depends on the type of astrophotography you’re primarily interested in, your current equipment, and budget.

If you prefer to shoot astrophotography nightscapes including the Milky Way, Meteor Showers or Aurora, a full-frame DSLR camera such as the Canon EOS 6D is your best bet.

A full frame sensor covers more area of the sky at once, and can truly maximize the real-estate of a wide angle lens (such as the Rokinon 14mm F/2.8).

In general, landscape photography is the realm of full-frame DSLR cameras. You simply cannot beat the extreme wide-angle shots that are possible with a 35mm camera sensor.

If budget is an issue, consider looking into used bodies in the Canon EOS 5D series. (I found a great deal on a Canon EOS 5D Mk II in the Henry’s used equipment section)

On the other hand, if you’re shooting deep sky astrophotography through a telescope, a crop-sensor DSLR such as the Canon T7i is a smart choice.

Not only are the APS-C sized sensor DSLR cameras more affordable, but they’re also much lighter. Keeping the overall weight of your imaging payload down is a major concern for entry-level deep sky rigs.

Also, a full-frame camera is much more demanding on the optics of your telescope, and the field flattener/reducer you use.

This means that the edges of the image field may show oblong stars (Coma) due to the field not being corrected evenly.

You can, of course, crop the edges out in post-processing, but I think it’s worth mentioning. You’ll want to make sure your field flattener/reducer was designed for a full-frame image sensor before purchasing.

Another aspect to consider is the availability and price of astrophotography filters. The clip-in variety of light-pollution and narrowband filters are more widely available and affordable on a crop-sensor DSLR than they are for a full-frame camera body.

One solution is to invest in the 2-inch round mounted variations that can be used with either camera body type when used for deep sky astrophotography. (I don’t recommend using filters on the objective of the camera lens)

As for modifying these cameras for astrophotography, expect to pay a bit more for the service on a full-frame camera. I’d suggest buying a professionally modified camera rather than attempting to do it yourself.

I modified an old Canon EOS Rebel Xsi (450D) using the Gary Honis method (full spectrum mod) and it worked out great.

However, the latest DSLR’s from Canon and Nikon and becoming so advanced, I would not feel comfortable opening one up anymore!

DSLR Camera Filters

DSLR cameras are great at accepting filters to use during your imaging sessions through your telescope.

For example, I use an Astronomik 12nm Ha Filter in my Canon T3i to capture narrowband h-alpha photos.

The 12nm h-alpha filters block out all wavelengths of light (including light pollution and moonlight) except for a very narrow band of data in the hydrogen alpha spectrum.

Installing the Astronomik 12nm Ha Filter in my Canon T3i

Speaking of light pollution, astrophotographers in the city can benefit from LP (Light pollution) filters for their DSLR camera.

The filter I currently use for all RGB (color) imaging is an IDAS LPS (light pollution suppression) filter made by Hutech. This clip-in filter does a great job at blocking stray light from street lamps, exterior lighting, and car headlights.

Have a look at the IDAS lps filter in use while capturing the Lagoon Nebula with my DSLR camera.

An impressive feature of this filter is how it retains the natural star colors in space while reducing much of the unwanted city glow.

The Lagoon Nebula using a DSLR camera with the IDAS lps filter

A Cooled CMOS Astrophotography Camera

The ZWO ASI071MC-Cooluses the same sensor found in the popular Nikon D7000 (Sony IMX071). I have tested this camera on several occasions, capturing deep-sky targets such as the Leo Triplet, and Markarian’s Chain of galaxies.

This one-shot-color camera uses a modified DSLR sensor that can be cooled to -40 degrees below ambient temperature. Other camera manufacturers such as Atik, have introduced CMOS sensor cameras as well.

A CMOS camera uses a different sensor technology than a camera with a CCD sensor does.

The ASI071 makes for a good entry point into the world of dedicated astronomy camera astrophotography (formally referred to as CCD imaging), as the color sensor produces regular full color images just like a DSLR does.

One of the biggest advantages a dedicated astronomy camera like this has over a DSLR is the lack of noise present in the images captured.

The ZWO ASI071MC-Cool

I learned a lot about CCD (dedicated astronomy camera) imaging with this camera. It introduced me to the world of .FIT files, Sequence Generator Pro, and an entirely new stacking procedure.

One of the early lessons I learned the hard way, was selecting the correct Bayer pattern for the camera. RAW files from a DSLR camera are debayered automatically in software like DeepSkyStacker and Adobe Photoshop.

DeepSkyStacker can debayer the .FIT files produced with the ASI071 as well, but you have to tell the application exactly how to debayer it.

My biggest breakthrough was discovering that the Bayer pattern for this camera is RGGB, and to make the necessary setting adjustments in DSS based on that profile.

Image Scale Basics

When you get into the world of dedicated astronomy cameras, you will need to start paying attention to the pixel size of the camera sensor. The pixel size will determine the image scale you can expect with the telescope you are using.

You can calculate the image scale of your camera and telescope to see if they are a good match by using the following equation:

Image Scale = pixel size / focal length x 206

Generally, a well “sampled” image will fall in the range of 1.0-2.0 in terms of image scale. For example, my ZWO ASI294MC Pro CMOS camera has a pixel size of 4.63.

When attached to my Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED refractor, the image scale is 1.73. (4.63 / 550mm x 206 = 1.73). For a better understanding of the importance of under and over sampling your images with a particular camera and telescope combination, have a look at this video from Chuck Ayoub.

Types of Astrophotography Cameras

There are a few options available when thinking about taking pictures of the night sky. The main type of camera I focus on my astrophotography is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera.

Other options include CCD (Dedicated, Cooled Astronomical Cameras), Point and Shoot Digital Cameras and Webcams.

Each type of camera has it’s strengths and weaknesses, whether it’s performance, cost, or ease of use.

The reason I still enjoy using a DSLR camera for my astronomy imaging is the convenience, flexibility, and cost.

Adjusting camera settings for astrophotography on a Canon 1000D

Choosing the Right Camera for the job

The type of camera you will use depends on what you intend to photograph.

Because I mainly shoot deep-sky astronomical objects, a DSLR that I could attach to my telescope via a t-adapter was the logical choice. The DSLR also allows you to attach several different types of lenses to it for landscape astrophotography projects.

If you prefer to focus on taking pictures of the planets in our solar system, a webcam or dedicated astronomy camera may be a better fit for your needs.

If you are not interested in all of the technical settings and advanced controls included in a DSLR camera, a Point and Shoot model may be all you need for your landscape astrophotography goals.

If you are a serious amateur astronomer who wants to take your deep-sky astrophotography to the next level, a CCD camera or cooled CMOS camera is likely in your future.

Deep-Sky Astrophotography

This is the act of photographing deep-sky objects in space such as galaxies, nebulae, and globular clusters. These objects are usually cataloged as Messier Objects, NGC (New General Catalogue) or IC (Index Catalogues).

This is the realm where I spend the majority of my time.

A tracking telescope mount is required to compensate for the rotation of the Earth, and the apparent movement of the night sky. Without an Equatorial Mount, you will experience star trailing in exposures longer than 15-10 seconds.

The photo below shows the Heart Nebula using a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera with a Small APO Refractor telescope.

The Heart Nebula – Canon DSLR and William Optics Z61 APO

Landscape Astrophotography

Landscape astrophotography has gained popularity over the years with the increasingly affordable DSLR’s available.

These cameras are much more sensitive to light than ever before, and nobody can resist the allure of an image of the Milky Way. This type of photography can also include shots of constellations, planet conjunctions, the moon and more.

This type of photography has quickly become a close second behind my interest in deep-sky imaging.

Attaching a camera lens to your DSLR is necessary for a wide field view of space, rather than connecting the camera to a telescope.

For shots like the one below, I use a wide-angle camera lens on a small star tracker.

Solar System Imaging – Planetary Astrophotography

I began my photographic journey with this type of imaging. My first shots were of the Moon through my Orion 4.5 Reflector Telescope using the eyepiece projection method. I would use my Point-and-Shoot Canon Powershot digital camera through the eyepiece of the telescope for pictures of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Venus.

It is possible to photograph images of solar system objects through a non-tracking Dobsonian telescope using your smartphone, but it will be challenging to capture a clear shot at high magnifications. You can also capture wide-angle photographs of the planets with your DSLR camera as they dance across the night sky each night.

This type of camera sensor is ideal for capturing images of planets like Saturn, Jupiter and Mars because the images are highly magnified. You can either take single exposures during times of good seeing, or record video footage (AVI or MOV format) and stack the best frames in Registax.

The reason for this method is to compensate for varying levels of transparency in the Earth’s atmosphere. Some of the best planetary images in the world were taken using these inexpensive “webcam” style cameras.

There will always be a learning curve to overcome when starting out with a new camera. I encourage you to join your local astronomy club or one of the many astrophotography communities on the web for specific advice about the camera you are using.

What Type of Camera do you Recommend?

No matter which type of astrophotography camera you use, the important thing is that it produces the results you are aiming for. Personally, I thought I would always shoot with a DSLR camera.

That all changed when I experienced the power of a dedicated astronomy camera with a cooled sensor, and the high-quality, low-noise images it produced.

For my deep sky imaging, a dedicated one-shot color astronomy camera such as the ZWO ASI294MC Pro will likely become my primary imaging instrument for the time being.

I currently shoot most with a ZWO ASI294MC Pro

Your camera should compliment your style and imaging conditions. For me, it’s all about maximizing the short windows of imaging time I can squeeze in.